Wood’s has been around since 1887 and has been owned by William Grant & Sons since 2002. Its stubble bottle packaging has been around since 2016, I saw pictures around of the old one and I have to say I am happy I met it in its current form.
The label states “Original navy recipe” and, while it’s definitely a navy style rum, the blend the navy were supplying the sailors with prior to the 31st of July 1970 (Black Tot Day) had various recipes catering to a flavour profile, depending on what rums were available at different time. Looks like Demerara rums (from Guyana) were always a part of the blend, containing rum from at least one of the wooden heritage stills, usually the Port Mourant, so I can see how Wood’s will have that similar profile.
Wood’s is a navy style rum that hails from Guyana, it’s distilled at Diamond Distillery and is aged in Scotland. The website states it’s made from blackstrap molasses (which sounds a bit markety), it’s a blend of 3 different rums, one of them coming from the Versailles single wooden pot still – Wes has more details on the marques in his review. The rums are brought to Scotland where they are aged up to 3 years in ex-Bourbon casks. Bottled at 57% ABV with added caramel colouring given its dark look.
On the nose feels earthy and fiery. Dark chocolate, chilli powder, dusty cardboard and molasses. Black olives and liquorice. It has a slight Caroni-ish profile. Canned plums, blackcurrant cordial and stout. Dark and rich profile.
On the palate there’s quite a bit of ethanol along with the flavours. Ground coffee, toffee, caramel and cocoa nibs. Liquorice of course, Coca-Cola, walnuts, English Breakfast tea, raisins, leather, black pepper and cloves. There’s a slight saltiness to it as well. A pretty straightforward Demerara rum with plenty of heat. The finish is medium with fresh coffee, cayenne pepper and ethanol.
A pretty rough Guyanese blend, but at 57% ABV and less than £25 in Waitrose you can’t expect it to be too layered and complex. Ideal for mixing or setting stuff on fire (safely of course). It can be found at online retailers for £27.50, but you’ll find it fairly often on offer on Amazon for £20 ranking it number two on my best value for money rums list.
Wood’s Old Navy Rum score:
Flavour/taste: 47/70
Value for money: 15/15
Transparency/purity: 13/15
Overall: 75/100
Cheers!
I served in the RN and drew my tot (both as “gtog” and neat) for seven years prior to black tot day. To me, Wood’s is the closest thing to Navy neaters (neat rum) on the market. Pusser’s ovenproof is like paint stripper by comparisoi
That is actually really interesting to hear
Apart from the odd spelling mistake (that I was unable to edit after posting), that’s my honest opinion. I don’t care if there’s a hint of toffee or dark chocolate (for me that smacks of arroganceI) I just want the taste of something close to Naval issue Rum.
Naval rum was sourced from various countries and we could always tell when it was Guayanan. It’s the molasses that makes it stand out.